James Faulkner (cricketer)
A cool-headed Australian all-rounder who became a World Cup hero and a death-over specialist known for his clutch performances under pressure.
Born 1990 (age 36)·Former Australian cricketer·Birthday: April 29·Millennials
Biography
James Faulkner won Player of the Match in the 2015 Cricket World Cup final with an unbeaten half-century and crucial wickets. The Tasmanian all-rounder developed in the Sheffield Shield before flourishing in limited-overs cricket. He hit with pragmatic power, dismantling attacks in the final overs. His left-arm medium pace, delivered from a wide angle, used clever changes of pace to become lethal at the death. Faulkner's international career was brief but defined by delivering when stakes were highest.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
James was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When James Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
James's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Named Player of the Match in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup Final for his all-round performance (3/36 and 50*).
- Won the 2015 World Cup and the 2021 T20 World Cup with the Australian national team.
- Holds the record for the fastest ODI century by an Australian (57 balls against India in 2013).
- Was a key part of the Hobart Hurricanes and later the Lahore Qalandars in various T20 leagues.
Did You Know?
He is nicknamed 'The Finisher' for his ability to close out innings and matches.
Faulkner briefly played county cricket for Lancashire in England.
He announced his retirement from professional cricket in 2023 to pursue a career in media.
In 2021, he became the first male cricketer to sign a deal with a team in the women's Big Bash League (BBL), though the deal was not finalized.
“I just wanted to be the bloke the team could rely on when the pressure was on.”
